World Whiskey Day falls on May 20 this year, giving us all an excuse to drink some of the good stuff, whether you’re celebrating whiskey or whisky. Here are seven whiskeys you can find from Columbus distilleries!
Since its founding more than a decade ago, Middle West Spirits has gained international recognition for its list of vodkas, gins, bourbons and whiskeys. I’m personally partial to their Straight Wheat Whisky, but their Ported Pumpernickel Rye Whiskey, part of their Double Cask Collection, features a lovely spice balanced by caramel, vanilla and stone fruit from their time in oak barrels and port.
Learn more: middlewestspirits.com/spirits/whisky/mws-ported-pumpernickel-rye-whisky
Noble Cut features an interesting portfolio of fruit cellos, vodkas and whiskeys flavored with apple, dark cherry, peach and maple. Their Salted Caramel Whiskey brings to mind all the buttery richness of caramels with a hint of salt. Pro: You can sample Noble Cut’s whiskeys and purchase a bottle at their newly renovated tasting room in Gahanna.
Learn more: noblecutdistillery.com/pages/flavored-whisky
In just a few years, High Bank Distillery has grown into two restaurants, with a third just announced, and a collection of vodkas, gins and, most importantly, whiskeys that have won repeated international awards. His Whiskey War has now won three consecutive nominations for America’s Best Blended Whiskey at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, starting with his 2021 barrel proof version. It balances a rye mash with vanilla, caramel and ginger.
More info: highbankdistillery.com/whisky-war-barrel-proof
From their tiny Grandview distillery, Echo Spirits has produced a fascinating array of rums, vodkas and genever (a gin-flavored malt whisky). Their boldly spicy rye whiskey is marked by complex floral and fruit notes. Bonus: They just released a new barrel proof version of the rye. (We recommend trying their expert spirits and cocktails at The Bar at Echo Spirits.)
Learn more: echospirits.com/spirits/rye-whisky
Owner and distiller Chad Kessler works to introduce underrepresented spirits at his Clintonville distillery. So it’s the place to go for experimental whiskeys, flavored rums, even absinthe. Their Bone Shaker Whiskey is a standard, combining a standout barley, rye and oat mash with roasted and chocolate malts.
More info: 451spirits.com/curbside-pickup/p/bone-shaker
Over the past few years, Watershed Distillery has rapidly expanded its portfolio of aged spirits, and its oldest spirit to date is its six-year-old bourbon. After spending some time in oak barrels, it is finished in barrels that contained their apple brandy. The resulting spirit is autumn in a bottle: apples, nuts, baking spices and caramel.
Learn more: watersheddistillery.com/barrel-strength-bourbon
The effort is a double whammy as it’s the only “brewery” in town. Its Grandview taproom is a hub for soccer fans and more community events. In addition to its unique line of beers, Endeavor produces vodka, gin, and barrel-aged versions, as well as a couple of whiskeys. Their two-year-old bourbon whiskey arrived in early 2022 and has already taken home medals at the US Open Spirits Championship.
Learn more: endeavorbrewing.com/spirits
Echo Spirits image courtesy of facebook.com/echospirits; 451 Spirits image courtesy of 451spirits.com; Endeavor image courtesy of facebook.com/endeavorbrewstillery